Kukla's Korner Hockey

“Some day I may have to make a decision whether I’m comfortable in Detroit, or do I want to take a significant role if it means I have to go somewhere else.

“In the right situation, I’d have to consider it. I don’t want to say absolutely not to anything.”

Yzerman’s unique, combined apprenticeship between Detroit and Hockey Canada has made him a hot managerial commodity for the future.

“I’ve learned a lot in Detroit,” he said. “Whether it’s negotiating a contract, debating whether a player should go to the minors or deciding whether we should sign a junior player, every decision that gets made I get to sit in on.

“Then, with Hockey Canada, I’m in a position to actually make decisions. So I really have gained a lot of experience.”

Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has a dislocated shoulder and will be out of the lineup indefinitely, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Gonchar suffered the injury in the pre-season opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 20.

“Sergei will continue to be evaluated as our team medical personnel consider several treatment options,” Shero said. “In the meantime, we will look for our other defensemen to step up and fill the void created by his absence.”

Well-travelled former Montreal Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux appears to have found the fountain of youth – apparently it’s somewhere near Phoenix.

Lemieux has told the RDS sports network that he wants to make an NHL comeback at age 43, and that his inspiration is the impending un-retirement of cycling legend Lance Armstrong….

And while he insists money is no concern, Lemieux carefully choreographed his announcement, earning maximum exposure through his insistence that the RDS interview be conducted by former Habs coach Jacques Demers or former teammate Benoit Brunet (both are analysts for the network.)

“There’s a few things I would do to make it better. First of all, I’d put the red line back in. I’m get so sick of tired of seeing D-to-D, bank passes, and tip it in and chase it (hockey). It happens way too often. You look at teams like Detroit that manhandles (other) teams and they don’t do that. They keep the puck and pass to each other.”

The Centennial celebrations will provide a unique opportunity for Canadiens’ fans across Quebec and throughout the world to honor the team’s heroes and builders of yesteryears and relive the great moments that shaped the Canadiens’ rich history.

The first initiative will take place on October 15, on the Canadiens’ 2008-09 home opener with the unveiling of the Ring of Honor celebrating the 44 players and 10 builders enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. A few days later, on October 20 fans will be treated to the first of twelve Centennial Jersey Nights featuring Canadiens players donning the first of six vintage jerseys.

Training camps are now open around the NHL and the regular season will get underway in less than two weeks. Even still, Sundin feels no added pressure to decide whether he wants to play again or not….

“There’s always going to be a hockey itch with me,” said Sundin. “I love the game of hockey. It’s been the biggest part of my life my whole life.

“The question that I don’t really have the answer for anyone at this point is whether or not I’m ready to play at the highest level and compete at the National Hockey League level. ... It hasn’t changed with training camps starting and all that.”

This should once again answer some emails I received over the last four days. Some guy who wants only “hits” on his website was claiming something was about to happen with Sundin. As I told some of you in a response, “don’t believe it.”

“The camp is so short and there are only so many games,” said Nedved, who scored a goal and was named first star in the Rangers’ 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. “I’m not in the position where I could say I’ll play good next month because, next month, I’ll be playing somewhere else.”

Most likely, that will be with Liberec in the Czech league, which reached an agreement with Nedved to allow him to try out for the Rangers.

Nedved knew his chances were slim given general manager Glen Sather and coach Tom Renney’s desire to make the Rangers younger and faster.